“Out like a fat kid in dodgeball”
The game of dodgeball requires players to dodge a ball thrown at them. A fat, immobile person would be a large target to get hit with the ball and be out of the game. "Out like a fat kid n…
“Owning the Yankees is like owning the Mona Lisa” (George Steinbrenner)
New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner (1930-2010) bought the team in 1973 and returned the Yankees to glory years of World Series championships. Steinbrenner often compared the Yankees to the…
“Pace makes the race” (horse racing adage)
"Pace makes the race" is a frequently used horse racing adage. A fast pace might help some horses, while a slower pace might help other kinds of horses. The saying "pace makes the…
“Pair off in threes”
"Pair off in threes" is a jocular line that several coaches have given to their players. American football player and coach Ernie Godfrey (1892-1980) was credited in 1937 for "Now…
“Pakistanis can’t play soccer well because every time they get a corner, they open a shop”
People from Pakistan and India (and other nationalities) have reputations for opening businesses, but not being very good at soccer. A riddle is: Q: Why doesn't Pakistan have an international…
“Parboiled: Playing a round of golf on a very hot and humid day”
"Parboiling" has nothing to do with a golf "par," but there are jokes. "Par-boiled: mistakenly put a golf ball in the saucepan instead of an egg" was posted on the…
“PE Teacher: You kicked the ball at the school computer? Student: You wanted it in the net.”
A school joke about soccer and computers ("the net") has been cited in print since at least 2007: P.E. Teacher: Why did you kick that ball straight at the school computer?Pupil: You told…
“People crying about stepping on Legos have never heard of Jacks!”
People (mostly parents) cry about stepping on Legos, but, in an earlier generation (1950s-1970s), people were crying about stepping on Jacks. "People crying about stepping on Legos have never…
“People who think that Canadians are more polite have never been to a minor league hockey game”
Canadians have a reputation for being polite. “Some day, Canada will rule the world. Then you’ll all be sorry” and “What is Canada’s favorite board game?"/"Sorry!” are a few…
“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence”
Brooklyn-born Vince Lombardi (1913-1970) took over as head football coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1959. According to Packers quarterback Bart Starr, Lombardi said in his first speech before the…
“Plan your dive and dive your plan” (scuba diving adage)
"Plan your dive and dive your plan" is a popular diving adage, cited in print since at least 1970. A carefully planned dive that is dived according to that plan can be a successful dive.…
“Play ball!” (baseball starting call)
"Play ball!" is what an umpire says to start a baseball game; the crowd also often cheers "play ball!" "Play ball!" is also said to continue a game after a rain delay.…
“Play for the name on the front of the jersey, not on the back”
Player names are usually on the back of their uniforms; team names are usually on the front. "Play for the name on the front of the jersey, not on the back" is a saying that has been…
“Play like a champion; train like an underdog”
"Play like a champion; train like an underdog" is a popular sports adage. "Play like a champion, train like an underdog" was cited on Twitter on February 10, 2011. Authorship of…
“Play me or trade me”
"Play me or trade me" is a demand that a little-used player makes to the management of the team. "Trade me or play me" was supposedly said by St. Louis Cardinals player Pepper…
“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes”
"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes" is a saying that has been printed on many images. The saying usually doesn't refer to "stupid games," but rather "stupid…
“Play the ball and don’t let the ball play you” (baseball adage)
"Play the ball and don’t let the ball play you" has been popular baseball fielding advice since at least 1902. If you "let the ball play you" by sitting back and waiting for…
“Players win games and coaches lose them”
"Players win games and coaches lose them" is a popular sports adage, especially in football and basketball. The players play the game; fans come out to see the players play. A coach…
“Playing golf is like playing fetch with yourself”
"Golf: The art of playing fetch with yourself" is a one-line saying that has been printed on many images. "Golf: Playing 'fetch' with yourself" was posted on the…
“Pole vaulting is just reverse limbo”
Pole vaulting is sometimes said to be the opposite or the reverse of limbo. A pole vault is for one to get over a bar, while limbo is for one to get under a bar. "another kristenism:…